At The Beginning Of The Novel, The Villain Forced The Protagonist’s Step-Mom To Bear His Children

"When I ask your sister out, you help me cover for it…"

As soon as Xu Hao finished speaking, Li Xiao's eyes widened in shock, completely dumbfounded.

He never expected Xu Hao to come up with such a scheme—pursuing his sister-in-law, dating her, and making him cover for it.

Is this even something a person would do?!

Li Xiao was instantly furious.

After all, his sister-in-law, Yao Xinrui, was also the woman he had set his sights on.

Now, not only would he have to watch Xu Hao flirt with his goddess, but he also had to help cover for them?

Just thinking about it made his chest tighten with pain.

Li Xiao glared at Xu Hao coldly, his voice filled with anger.

"Impossible."

But then, fear crept into his heart—what if Xu Hao got annoyed and turned his attention toward his own sister instead?

He hesitated for a moment before sighing.

"I can't do it. Chu Xiong has assigned someone to protect her, someone whose strength is almost equal to mine…"

"I can't even get close to her. How do you expect me to cover for you?"

Xu Hao smirked.

"You don't need to worry about that. I'll take care of the bodyguard in the shadows."

"As for who Chu Xiong assigns next, that's up to you. I trust your standing in your brother's eyes."

Chu Xiong was no fool.

Though he wasn't much of a fighter himself, he had secretly placed a trusted bodyguard to protect and monitor his wife—both as a safeguard and as a means of control.

After all, he didn't want to wake up one day to find himself publicly humiliated.

In truth, Xu Hao didn't even need Li Xiao to cover for him.

All he had to do was buy off or threaten the bodyguard.

But it was more fun to make the protagonist watch.

Not only would he be able to date the female lead, but he'd also stir up intense emotions in the protagonist.

Double the pleasure.

Who could resist that?

Li Xiao's face twisted in conflict.

This was his sister-in-law—she had the looks, the figure, and an air of elegance that made her irresistible.

And yet, not only could he not have her, but he also had to help Xu Hao get her?

The mere thought of it was unbearable.

His expression shifted between hesitation and pain.

"If you don't agree, that's fine," Xu Hao said casually. "I'll just go find your sister instead. She seems like a sweet and innocent girl."

With that, he turned and walked toward the company.

Li Xiao snapped back to reality.

Seeing Xu Hao about to leave, he gritted his teeth and called out,

"Wait…"

Xu Hao stopped, a smirk playing at his lips.

Li Xiao clenched his fists, closed his eyes in pain, and forced out the words,

"I'll do it."

Between his gentle sister and his alluring sister-in-law, he chose the former.

"Good. Go back and wait for my instructions."

But Li Xiao remained in place, his gaze sharp and filled with hostility.

"I'll help you, but if you dare go after my sister, I'll drag you down with me, no matter the cost."

"Relax," Xu Hao chuckled. "I always keep my word. If I betray you, you're welcome to tell Chu Xiong and have him deal with me."

Li Xiao left, his steps heavy with regret.

Watching his retreating figure, Xu Hao sneered coldly.

"When the time comes, you'll understand what it means for the fish to die… but the net to remain intact."

The atmosphere was tense and suffocating.

Servants moved cautiously, afraid to make a single mistake.

Chu Xiong had just returned from the hospital after visiting his son.

Chu Xiaotian had regained consciousness, and the doctor said he only needed time to recover.

Whoever attacked his son had held back.

But that didn't mean Chu Xiong would be grateful.

He had already begun using the Chu family's power to retaliate against Sunny Electronics Corporation.

After all, this all started because of that company's CEO, Lin Chuqing.

She had to be punished.

Yet, Chu Xiong still felt his actions weren't enough.

Frowning deeply, he pondered his next move against Lin Chuqing's company.

Li Xiao followed behind him silently.

Originally, Li Xiao had been assigned to protect Chu Xiaotian, but now that the boy was hospitalized, it was a waste to keep him there.

So, Chu Xiong had recalled him—at least he could be of some use elsewhere.

Just then, the sharp ring of a phone shattered the silence in the grand hall.

Ring— Ring— Ring—

"Boss, Sister Chen got caught up in a gang fight and was seriously injured. She won't be able to protect Madam for the time being…"

The voice on the other end made Chu Xiong frown.

Sister Chen was the bodyguard he had secretly assigned to protect and monitor Yao Xinrui.

Though his marriage with Yao Xinrui was just a contract, they still had the title of husband and wife.

And as long as they were married, he refused to let her get involved with any other man.

If rumors spread that his wife was with someone else, people would assume that even a billionaire like him had been cheated on.

That was something he would never allow.

In reality, he probably didn't need to worry.

For the past ten years, Yao Xinrui had been completely proper, never interacting with any men.

But still…

After ending the call, Chu Xiong's frown deepened.

Sister Chen had no ties to any gangs, so why had she suddenly gotten involved in a gang fight?